“The whole journey of life is a journey of preparation... to see, to feel, to understand the beauty of what lies ahead, of the homeland towards which we walk.”
– Pope Francis
Ever since the Vatican announced Blessed Carlo Acutis’ April canonization, I’ve been planning our trip to Rome. With four kids who have unsophisticated palettes and endurance issues, I was determined to make the trip both meaningful and manageable.
After all my carefully curated plans were set, my lovely, adventurous bride decided she also wanted to squeeze in a quick jaunt to Assisi. I know Rome like the back of my hand, but I hadn’t been to the town of St. Francis for more than two decades. Thankfully, a good priest friend of mine, Fr. Francesco, is a native and was providentially going to be there at the same time. “I’ll take care of it,” he said in a quintessentially Italian way. Lodging? “Si,” he nodded. Getting around with six people? “Si, I got it.”
I’m not proud of it, but when we learned of the Pope’s passing just days before our trip, my first thought was not the Holy Father. It was my itinerary. My brain was fried from the logistical Olympics, and I couldn’t even think about Assisi. After a few whirlwind days in Rome, we boarded a train to Assisi with no idea of what we were about to experience. About 24 hours later, we left with some of the best memories of our entire adventure. Assisi became another home for the Cellucci’s: from a delicious dinner with our priest friend’s family, to some scrambled eggs from neighboring chickens; from a mountain view that almost took my breath away to a quiet moment praying at the tomb of the still soon-to-be saint we came to celebrate that did take my breath away. And I had nothing to do with it.
How often in life and leadership do I try to curate an experience with the best intentions, only to miss the whole intention? Do I fixate on the photos I will post or the impressions that might be made in my heart if I allow my day to be a space for encounter?
We were blessed to put our day in the hands of Fr. Francesco for an experience that will stay with us for the rest of our lives. As we continue to celebrate this Easter season, let us put all of our days into the hands of the Father in Heaven so He can lead us on our journey to eternal life.
Pax et bene!
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